Comments on: Overcoming Stage Fright and Fear of Public Speaking

By: Fear Doesn’t Go Away | WHOOZ VOICE

Fear Doesn’t Go Away | WHOOZ VOICE — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 09:39:16 +0000

[...] agree that while we would wish for a miracle cure to move us past what scares us,” writes blogger Annette Colby, “the best course of action is showing [...]

By: Dr. Annette

Dr. Annette — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:52:34 +0000

Hello Keith…
Stellar pointers! Having suffered with stage fright myself, I know I’ve experienced the hope that there was some magical solution out there that would wipe away all the uncomfortable feelings. But, your comments are the real ways to overcome the fear of speaking: Join a speaking group, practice, know your material, deep breathing, and confidence building.

Hello Milt…
Deep breathing seems like it is always the most appropriate answer in any difficult experience. Breathing brings us back to center, helps calm the fight or flight response, and helps us tap into our true spirit.

Thanks for sharing your professional insights and offering strategies for success.

By: Milt Wood, Ph.D.

Milt Wood, Ph.D. — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:33:35 +0000

The importance of taking several deep breaths is truly an effective way to help manage one’s public speaking anxiety. The reason “why” is seldom explained. The power of this technique goes back to what is called the “Fight or Flight Response.” This is a type of survival response that is particularly important when we face a truly life threatening situation. Many automatic things happen inside our body when this results in a big squirt of adrenaline being introduced into our blood stream: e.g., our eyes dialate, our heart rate increases, our visual field narrows, we perspire and our breathing rate increases to a point where we’re pumping so much extra oxygen in our body that we begin to feel light-headed. Out of all these automatic responses (and there are more) only one is also under conscious control… our rate of breathing. When we put our breathing rate under control by taking slow, deep breaths, two major things happen. 1. We reduce the likelihood of over-oxygenation that makes us feel light-headed, and 2. it signals the other automatic responses taking place that maybe the threat isn’t as bad as expected. Taken together, we put a throttle on the Fight or Flight Response that in turn helps us relax. Just thought I mention why deep breathing is always useful in a high stress situation… assuming we really don’t have to fight or run. Then the extra oxygen can really help )

By: Keith Davis

Keith Davis — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:47:59 +0000

Hi Dr
Who would have thought that Cher suffered from stagefright!
In terms of remedy, I would say:

1 Regular practice in a supportive environment – try joining a Speakers Club.

2 Know your material well – practice, practice, practice.

3 Deep breathing.

4 Learn how to look confident – doesn’t matter how you feel inside, the audience only see the outside.

Good luck to anyone who suffers with stagefright.
Keith Davis´s last blog ..A helping hand…

By: Dr. Annette

Dr. Annette — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:06:03 +0000

Dear Marie,
I completely understand how debiliting fear can be. It must be frustrating for you to know that you sing well, to want to sing, but then to have the fear pull you down. The pain of your heart pounding can make you not want to step forward into the public spotlight. But somehow you will find your way to sing and express yourself in a way that feels safe for you.
I hope this article let you know that you are not alone, that the fear can be overcome, and others are here to support your rise out of fear.
When you find your own way to let your voice out into the world, I would love to hear your song. Annette

By: Marie Nicolas delucien

Marie Nicolas delucien — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:48:11 +0000

For me fear is the wrost thing i’ve ever known.I really know how to sing,but everytime i stepped up it like something pull me down the fear make me feel that i am a loser .I feel my heart almost come out which is not good for my health,only thinking about the public it a big problem.thanks

By: Personal Development|Self Help

Personal Development|Self Help — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:13:49 +0000

Hello Annette – we met on Twitter!
I am pleased I took the time to visit your site – I like it
I will coming back as we obviously have a lot in common and Im sure I can learn something from you!
On the topic of fear….Fear can be absolutely debilitating and can stop us in our tracks on the road to success! I have recently written a series on fear and different ways to approach it. I am not a fearful person myself – I find that gathering as much information about a subject as I possibly can, puts me in an excellent position to make an informed and educated decision about whatever I am facing – I think the fear of failure is probably worst of all and stops so many people reaching their potential.
Educate yourself on any issue you are fearful of – realize you are not alone and seek help when you need it!
I could go on about this all day – but I wont!
I will however come back and see you soon!
Thanks – Kymmy

By: Dr. Annette

Dr. Annette — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:13:08 +0000

Dear Dr. Wood,

Thank you for sharing the wisdom gained from your years of experience as a professional public-speaking skills trainer.

I love your honest, and yet fun approach as you tell us how to prepare, practice, and gather feedback. What I found most useful is when you state, “Remember, they are not there to see you unless you’re a famous person. All they want is information, stories, and perhaps your opinion.” That perspective is priceless!!

I’m going to your website at http://www.teachpublicspeaking.net right now and placing an order for your book “Teach Public Speaking to Anyone!”

Thank you again for doing the work you do, and for making your work available to us in book form. I’ll carry the echos of your words with me when I step forward into my next speaking engagement.

By: Milt Wood, Ph.D.

Milt Wood, Ph.D. — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:07:08 +0000

Public speaking anxiety can be managed in a number of ways. Some of the things we need to “manage” are mental in nature, while others depend on what we say and how we say it.

From a mental perspective one of my favorite tips is “to simply have a conversation with your listeners.” Remember what it’s like when you have coffee with a friend; take this same attitude to the lectern. Remember, they are not there to see you unless you’re a famous person. All they want is your information, your stories and perhaps your opinion.

When it comes to “what you say,” a well crafted presentation can be designed to enhance memory for both you and your listeners. One idea should flow smoothy to the next. The number of ideas you address should be limited in number. A liberal use of stories and analogies are easy to remember as well as being powerful rhetorical techniques. And, there is NO substitute for practice and feedback.

Finally, “how you say it” should be as natural and free of distracting manerisms as possible. Outstanding delivery technique takes practice and the willingness to experience the discomfort of speaking before a group until you begin to relax. Anyone who truly wants to become a good public speaker, at a minimum of cost, should find a local Toastmaster International public speaking club where practice and feedback become a lot of fun!

When it’s all said and done, there is no single way to manage public speaking anxiety. However, if you are willing to experience some pain while you “get your butterflys to fly in formation,” you can become an outstanding public speaker and experience the power that public speaking brings.

By: Dr. Annette

Dr. Annette — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:57:20 +0000

Dr. Milt,

Thank you for stopping by to visit our Divine Self! blog. We appreciate your presence.

With joy,
Annette